Russia bans Linkedin, server locations at center of court battle

A Moscow Court has decided to ban LinkedIn in Russia, the popular social media site that connects professionals all around the word. Now the concern in Russia is the government could use this case to go after other social media sites to keep control over dissent. CCTV’s Kevin Ozebek has more.

No one may be following this case closer than Lena Bondarenko.

As the human resources director of the Russian Company Bright Box, she looks at hundreds of LinkedIn profiles every day. Bondarenko said there’s no Russian LinkedIn equivalent, so it’s the best online platform for professionals to promote their skills and connect with companies that are hiring.

But this court in Moscow agreed with a lower court to ban LinkedIn. It agrees with the Kremlin’s argument that LinkedIn is breaking the law by not storing Russian user’s data-on servers in Russia.

Some Russians believe the government has toughened its social media stance after anti-government protests in 2011 and 2012 were organized online.

Though open Internet advocates think it would be tough for the Kremlin to crack down on Twitter and Facebook, since they are so immensely popular.

For Bondarenko, her worry is how she’s going to find qualified candidates for the top positions she needs to fill.

This isn’t a done deal just yet. LinkedIn has six months to appeal this court’s decision and move the case to an even higher court. In the meantime, the government can still place LinkedIn on its list of banned websites.

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